Kpelle Turu Horn

• Title Kpelle Turu Horn
• Category Utilitarian
• Medium Wood
• Dimensions 11.5"h x 2.5"w
• Year Completed Undated
• Description Widely used throughout West Africa, this instrument is called a Turu by the Kpelle people of Liberia. According to Kpelle legend, the horn’s name comes from the tuu-tuu bird whose cry it imitates. A side-blown lip-reed aerophone, the turu is carved from a single piece of wood and has a distinctive phallic shape. Held horizontally, the performer plays the instrument by forcing air through tensed lips which are pressed against the raised mouthpiece. The player also produces vocal sounds through the horn in addition to lip-reed sounds. When used alone, the turu can be a signaling device. More commonly it is part of a recreational ensemble (men-kpala), which includes two goblet shaped drums. The group of turu and drums accompany dancing. Performances feature ostinato (short lines repeated over and over) and hocketing (each player produces only one note). The horns alternate with singing. The rhythmic foundation for the horns and the singing is played on two feli drums.
• Artist Moses Togba Liberian
• Credit John and Janet Yoder Collection
• Location Library Art Storage G11
• Accession Number 2022.0187
• Status Available Request this art work
  
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